Dress Code/Uniforms

LOWER SCHOOL GIRLS - SPECIFIC GUIDELINES

• Khaki or navy solid jumpers must be of modest (to the knee) length.  Girls may also wear Harvest plaid available through Educational Outfitters. 
• Khaki or navy solid skirts (without slits) must be of modest (to the knee) length.  The Harvest plaid is also permitted and is available through Educational Outfitters.
• Bike shorts must be worn under jumpers and skirts.
• Skorts (mid-thigh in length) are permitted.
• No bare midriff is permitted.
• Blouses must be collared, solid white, navy or forest green. 
• Polo or turtlenecks in solid white, navy or forest green are permitted. 
• Layering is permitted as long as all layers conform to color requirements while the outer layer conforms to shirt color and style requirements.
• Girl’s shoes must be closed toe and closed heeled and no more than 2 inches high.
• Hair is expected to be clean, neat and not cover the eyes.  Extreme design and unnaturally colored hair are not permitted.  Hair ornaments must be modest and colors must coordinate with school clothing.
• Simple jewelry is permitted.  Large hoop earrings, nose rings, and excessive rings, necklaces, bracelets or earrings are not permitted.
• Single ear piercings are permitted.
• Excessive make-up is not permitted.

LOWER SCHOOL BOYS - SPECIFIC GUIDELINES

• Boys must be clean-shaven.
• Boys may not have piercings.
• Shirts must be collared, solid white, navy or forest green.  Polo, turtlenecks, oxford button-downs and striped rugby (available from Educational Outfitters) are permitted.  Layering is also permitted.
• Hair is expected to be clean and of modest length.  Extreme design, unnaturally colored, sculpting, shaving and spiking are not permitted.

LOWER SCHOOL CONSEQUENCES FOR DRESS CODE VIOLATION

The guidelines described herein are not meant to be prescriptive, but merely reflects HCA’s philosophy that students dress with modesty and are neatly groomed.  We acknowledge the various styles of dress and the desire of students to dress “in style”. 

We have attempted to bring variety in color, style, and selection of dress code pieces in order to provide some choice.  The dress code compliance offers students the opportunity to show love for God through their obedience.   We expect parents to support and enforce these dress code guidelines with their children.  As such, the following consequences will be upheld for violating the HCA dress code policy (per quarter):

Offense	Consequence
First	Written warning by teacher.
Second	Principal calls the parents – student to wait in office for parent to bring uniform adjustment or will be given clothing to wear for the day.
Third	Same as step two, and also a parent conference is held.
Fourth	Disciplinary action

MIDDLE SCHOOL (Grades Six through Eight)
 

GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS

• All HCA students should exhibit modest and developmentally appropriate dress.  Apparel should not, in any way, cause distractions of any sort.
• All clothing must be tag/label and logo free.
• Tight/excessively baggy fitting clothing is not permitted.
• All apparel with belt loops requires a belt.
• Slacks are considered to be navy or khaki, loose-fitting, flat front or pleated dress slacks Low-rise and hip hugging pants are not permitted.  Denim (jeans) of any color or cargo style clothing is not permitted.  Dress shorts (navy or khaki) may be worn and must be at least mid-thigh.
• Shirts/blouses must be tucked in.  (Banded bottom polos, sweaters and vests are exempt.)
• Navy or white socks/tights/knee socks/nylons are required for girls when wearing dresses or skirts.  Shoes may not be worn without socks.  Socks (any color) should be worn to cover the ankle.
• Shoes must be worn at all times. Gym shoes, tennis shoes, or sports shoes are acceptable for daily wear.  Sneakers/tennis shoes may not have lights, wheels, characters, or platforms.
• Hats are not to be worn inside the building.
• Body piercings are not permitted.
• Body tattoos are not permitted.
• Shirts/blouses must be collared, solid white, navy or forest green.  Rugby style shirts purchased from Educational Outfitters are also permitted.  No other rugby shirt is allowed.  Layering is permitted as long as all layers conform to color and style requirements.
• Crew-neck, v-neck or cardigan style sweaters and vests in navy blue are permitted.  Collared shirts/blouses are required under the sweater or vest.  Hooded sweatshirts (hoodies) are not permitted.
• HCA-Crested spirit wear is permitted.  Other church related or youth group shirts are not allowed.
• All students, grades 5 – 8, are required to wear gym uniforms during gym class.  These are available through Educational Outfitters.  Sneakers with non-marking soles are required without lights, wheels, characters, or platforms.
• Students must stay in school uniform until dismissal is complete.

 SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL GIRLS

• Khaki or navy solid jumpers must be of modest (to the knee) length.  Girls may also wear Harvest plaid available through Educational Outfitters. 
• Khaki or navy solid skirts (without slits) must be of modest (to the knee) length. The Harvest plaid is also permitted and is available through Educational Outfitters.
• No bare midriff is permitted.
• Blouses must be collared, solid white, navy or forest green.  Polo, turtlenecks, oxford button-downs and cotton blouses are permitted.  Layering is also permitted as long as all layers conform to color and style requirements.
• Girls dress shoes must be closed toe and no more than 2 inches high.
• Hair is expected to be clean, neat and not cover the eyes.  Extreme design and unnaturally colored hair are not permitted.  Hair ornaments must be modest and colors must coordinate with school clothing.
• Jewelry must be simple.  Nose rings and excessively large hoop earrings are not permitted.
• Single ear or multiple ear piercings are permitted for girls.
• Excessive make-up is not permitted.

SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL BOYS

• Boys must be clean-shaven.
• Boys may not have piercings.
• Shirts must be collared, solid white, navy, or forest green.  Polo, turtlenecks, oxford button-downs (white or light blue) and striped rugby style shirts (purchased from Educational Outfitters) are permitted.  Layering is also permitted.
• Hair is expected to be clean and of modest length.  Extreme design, unnaturally colored, sculpting, shaving and spiking are not permitted.

CONSEQUENCES FOR DRESS CODE VIOLATION

The guidelines described herein are not meant to be prescriptive, but merely reflects HCA’s philosophy that students dress with modesty and are neatly groomed.  We acknowledge the various styles of dress and the desire of students to dress “in style”.  We have attempted to bring variety in color, style, and selection of dress code pieces in order to provide some choice.  The dress code compliance offers students the opportunity to show love for God through their obedience.   We expect parents to support and enforce these dress code guidelines with their children.  As such, the following consequences will be upheld for violating the HCA dress code policy:

Where a dress code violation may be remedied on the spot (shirt untucked, etc.), the teacher will direct the student to do so. When this type of violation becomes habitual or the type of dress code violation cannot be remedied on the spot, then the student will be sent to the office. The consequences of coming to the office include (per quarter):

Offense	Consequence
First	Written warning
Second	Parents are called - student to wait in office for parent to bring uniform adjustment and after-school detention.
Third	Parent conference - student to wait in office for parent to bring uniform adjustment and after-school detention.
Fourth	Disciplinary action

HIGH SCHOOL (Grades Nine through 12) 

Some general principles of the high school dress code include:

Clothing should be modest, neat, and appropriate for the school environment.

MODEST

Clothing should not be tight, clingy or form fitting. Midriffs should not show when reaching or bending. Ladies’ necklines should not be revealing. The length of skirts or dresses should be knee length or below. Ladies should have their shoulders covered; no spaghetti straps, please.

NEAT

Clothing should be in good repair, without holes or tears or frayed hems. Belt lines for pants should not sag (no sagging pants, please).

APPROPRIATE

Students should be dressed for success at school, and ready to learn. Writing on clothing which is inappropriate or brings undue attention should not be worn. Capris or Bermuda shorts with the bottom hem no higher than three inches from the top of the knee, may be worn. Sweatshirts are permitted, but pajama wear and sweat pants are not permitted. T-shirt type shirts will be permitted, but t-shirts designed to be undergarments (undershirts) are not to be worn as outer garments. Footwear (shoes, sneakers, sandals, etc.) should be worn at all times.

This abbreviated dress code is purposely shortened to eliminate the large lists of “do’s” and “don’ts” that often come with a dress code. The code falls under the categories of Modest, Neat, and Appropriate as stated above. Some changes that are intentional but not necessarily mentioned include students may wear jeans and untucked shirts. Specific requirements have been noted above. Beyond these qualifications, there is freedom. The administration may need, from time to time, to clarify the code with students. We hope this guide will help students and parents to prepare for the next school year. Please contact the school office if you have any questions.